About Le Plan Vermeersch

Before, there was left-foot braking, mastering four-, front and rear-wheel drive, striving to find the fastest way to take the bends in combination with the perfect angle of attack, and always, always keeping an eye on the clock - making sure I could get from start to finish in the shortest possible time...

Now, there are tranquil vineyards amidst the buzzing sound of grasshoppers, cicadas and bumble bees, the scent of lavender, and always, always - receptive taste buds carefully primed to perfection, to decide at a moment's notice when the wine is at its best.

Dirk Vermeersch, a Belgian from the region of Flanders, is both a true entrepreneur and a man of rich and varied experiences. Starting out in textiles - Dirk initially started out in textiles, owned a number of clothing boutiques. From there he went on to be the concession holder of a Volvo and Maserati dealership, and later became a champion rally and racing car driver from 1973 to 1986, when a serious accident forced his racing career to a grinding halt. His latest enterprise has been the creation of Domaine LePlan in the southern Rhône Valley (France) in 2000, together with his wife, Helene, daughter Ann and her boyfriend Sebastien.

While Dirk's CV may appear somewhat varied, every activity has been approached with the same stead-fast intensity. His approach to winemaking is yet another good example. Dirk, or 'Mr. 100%' to those who know him well, is a completely self-taught winemaker. Devoid of any preconceived ideas, he threw himself into researching and comparing the various viticultural methods before deciding, with characteristic common sense and humility, which modern techniques to associate with more traditional and organic ones, in order to reach the ideal compromise.

At the same time, Ann enrolled herself at the local school of oenology in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region, in order to learn her trade. Together, with a little help from their neighbours and advice from young and ambitious oenologist Thomas Oui, they won national and international awards and accolades with their first wines from the 2001 vintage. Each vintage since has been no different.

Limestone clay, adding finesse to the final wine. Pudding stones, trapping heat during day and reflecting it back onto the vines at night, helping them to ripen.

Climate

Mediterranean. The yearly precipitation occurs mostly during the winter, with little to no precipitation in the summer. Summer temperatures are hot (up to 35 Celsius), and winters cool (+5 to -5 Celsius). The Mistral is a wind from the north that keeps the vineyards dry and free of disease throughout the year.

Facts

Winegrowing method: Organic (Certified by Ecocert)

Average yield: 25 hectolitres per hectare compared to 80 or 40hl/ha, the legal maximums for each appellation, respectively.

Tasting notes: This wine is deeply coloured and intense with blackish purple hues. The heavily perfumed nose has marked notes of black cherry, liquorice, cloves, blackberry jam, chocolate and cocoa. The palate is warm and full-bodied, from concentrated yields teamed with very ripe tannins adding to its overall finesse. The finish is a subtle lingering of ripened red fruit aromas and liquorice balanced with a hint of tannins.

Grape variety: BLEND of the 10 best barrels of the winery, all grapes possible

Appellation: Côtes du Rhône Villages AOP

Color: Deep ruby red

Region: Rhone Valley

Age of vines: planted between 1972 and 1996

Soil GT: clay-calcareous, pudding (rolling) stones

Vine growing methods: organic, in conversion

Harvest: hand and selective picking in September

Yield (average): 3 ton per hectare, 25 hl/ha

Fermentation: In stainless steel tank, hand-plunged 3 times a day

Ageing: 12 months in mixed oak barrels

Analysis: 15% ABV, Total sulfuric acid: 3.4 g/l, Rest sugar:3.7 g/l

Production: limited to 3000 bottles (250 cases) only the best vintages

Tasting notes: This GT-X wine has a magnificent and deep ruby color, with bright tints. Fresh licorice with subtle earthy notes mixed with dried almond highlight the bouquet. Magnificently opulent and well-rounded, this is a refined and ample wine. The tannins are buttery, fine and integrated, and the finish that lingers on.

Tasting notes: This Grenache has a beautiful garnet colour, deep and rich, with pretty violet tints. The bouquet is complex and intense with a hint of plum, fig, blackcurrant and raspberry, blended with subtle hints of vanilla and grilled almond. This is a smooth wine, well-rounded, with lots of freshness and fruit, including cherry, and liquorices. The finish is rich and long-lasting.

Tasting note: This Carignan has a beautiful purple colour, deep and rich. Pure fruit aromas are present on the nose including fresh fruit, cherry and plum. There is also a mineral note. The fruit follows through onto the palate, with red fruit compote and a touch of cherry. An austere wine with notable tones from its fine tannins. The finish is long and marked hint of coffee.

Tasting notes: This Aramon wine is deeply colored, very intense, and almost black, with purple tints. The aroma is intensely fruity, with black fruits, fruit liqueur and cherry. The body is round and silky, fruity, full-bodied and firm, with noticeable undertones of tannin.